Lost-ball indicator



April 3, 1928. 1,664,397 s. J. BENS LOST BALL INDICATOR Filed Feb. 14. 1925 VA Po 2 Paoouzma SUB STA N E SAMUEL J. 5am

Patented Apr. 3, M28.

ear'au r castes.

SAMUEL J. BELTS, OE YORK, N. Y.

LOST-BALL INDIGATQB.

Application filed February 14, 1925. Serial No. 9,348.

My present invention relates to an indicater to be applied to a golf ball, or the like,

which will indicate its position after the ball has come to rest at the end of a flight.

It is common knowledge, particularly in the case of beginners, that after a golf ball comes to rest at the end of its flight in the tall grass or weeds of a hazard, it is extremely difficult to find. Of course, after a player becomes more accustomed to the game he is enabled to find the ball quicker than a beginner. This invention, however, aims to provide an indicating medium which will be equally effective for the professional as well as the beginner, so that the ball may be instantly located and both time and money saved in playing the game.

The invention consists in applying to the ball, either in its course of manufacture or afterwards, a substance or substances which will indicate the presence of the ball by acting upon any one, or all, of three of the five sensles, those three being sight, sound or sme l.

I have several embodiments of the inven-' tion all of which are effective. the first of which consists in applying to the outside of the ball a compound of chemicals which will produce a visible vapor under certain conditions. I have in contemplation a volatile chloride and a substance or mixture of substances which will produce ammonia. The chloride producing substance and the ammonia producing substance may be mixed in paste form, as for instance in Vaseline, which will normally prevent their reaction, but when the ball coated with this substance falls into the grass, the moisture present at or near the surface of the ground will cause a reaction between the two substances and a visible vapor of ammonium chloride will arise in the vicinity of the ball, thus indicating the presence of the ball to the player. It may be desirable, instead of using the above mixture of chemicals, to apply the substances such as hydrochloric acid, to one side of the ball, and ammonium hydroxide to the other side of the ball just before the drive is made from the tee so that when the ball finally comes to rest in quiescent air there will be areaction between these two chemicals and a visiblevapor of ammonium chloride will indicate the presence of the ball to the player. i

As another embodiment of my invention I may apply the pyrotechnic composition to the outside of the ball commonly sold for Fourth of July celebrations, known a spit devil, which is composed of gum arabic and water into which is stirred yellow phosphorus, chlorate of. potash, and a filler such as clay. The contact between yellow phosphorus and chlorate of potash results in a violent explosion, that is, a mere contact such as a blow or abrasion is not necessary except to start the initial explosion. It is evident that these two substances are separated one from the other by an envelope or coating of the gum arabic, but that this is broken down after the first explosion. This composition, when detonated, is accompanied by a crackling series of miniature explosions, which continues for a considerable period of time, depending upon the amount of explosive used. By applying some of this mixture to the outside of the ball, it will be readily apparent that the initial detonation will occur when the club strikes the ball, andthe crackling explosions will indicate the presence of the ball to the player.

Still another embodiment of my invention consists in immersing the ball before tccing off, in for instance a solution of phosphorus and carbon'bisulphide, or the like. Upon evaporation of the solvent, the elemental phosphorus remains, which emits a perceptible glow, even in daylight. The ball emitting such phosphorescence, would be readily detectable even in high grass, and would thus enable the player to readily locate the lost object.

Still another embodiment of my invention in which the sense" of smell is exercised would be to apply to the exterior of the ball a substance which would give an odor not common to thoseodors naturally occurring on the golf links or among the tall grasses bordering streams, or in sparse woods where the ball might be lodged. I have in mind the use of the various essential oils, such as attar of roses, or otheragreeablc odors other than those naturally occurring in these localities, Such as those of thewild flowers or mint, as might occur near the bank of a stream. The odor might also be such as those of the unpleasant class, such as asafetida, or even carbon bisulphide. It will also be apparentthat in the use of the chemicals of the first embodiment above mentioned, in which a volatile chloride was produced, this in itself would be an embodiment of this modification which appeals dad to the sense of smell. In those cases in which an unpleasant odor was produced, it will be evident that the unpleasant odor need not be put on to such an extent that it will be objectionable, and as a matter of fact, if this should occur by accident, the ball may be readily wiped ofi' on the grass, or even washed, or rubbed in sand,,which always is provided on the golf links.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of my invention in use.

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section showing a. substance for producing vapor applied to the outside of the ball.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the vapor.

. point out the presence of the ball in this area that the application to the ball of these substances contemplates.

assess? While I have given these embodiments as merely examples of how the invention may be carried out, it is understood that I do not wish to be limited to their specific composition, as undoubtedly other combinations and compositions will occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination, a golf ball and a sub stance applied thereto capable of producing a visible vapor.

2. In combination, a golf ball and means associated therewith to indicate its position at the end of a flight, said means comprising a substance for emitting a cloud of visible particles.

3. A golf ball and means connected therewith for emitting a visible substance which will cloud the atmosphere.

' 4. A golf ball and means connected therewith for emitting a visible vapor.

5. A golf ball and means applied to the outside of said ball for emitting a visible vapor.

6. A golf ball and means applied to the outside of said ball for emitting a visible cloud.

7. A golf ball and means applied to the outside of said ball for emitting smoke. I

8. A golf ball, and means in connection therewith for emitting smoke whereby to signal the position of the ball after flight.

In-testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL J. BENS. 

